What a unique vehicle this 1965 International Scout is. It’s also unique in the nice condition that it appears to be in compared to a lot of Scouts that we’ve seen recently. This one is listed on eBay in Old Lyme, Connecticut with a current bid price of $6,900 but the reserve isn’t met. Thanks to Matt W. for submitting this Scout!
Most of us have seen fire vehicles in all varieties but I don’t know if I’ve seen a “factory fire truck” based on an IH Scout. But, here’s an old ad showing basically this same truck, so there you go. This is one incredibly nice Scout having a mere 8,000 miles on it. The seller says that it was “Rusty Jones rustproofed” when new and it looks as solid as can be.
They do mention that it has “2 minor rust spots: under clutch pedal about 1/2-dollar size, surface rust left side cargo bed (water tank had leaked). Also inside kick panels (you can see in the pictures). These are rust spots, not rot holes.” There are several underside photos which is always nice, and it looks as solid as Sears used to be. This rig would have had a 50-75 gallon water tank and an 8.5-hp water pump. That isn’t a lot of volume but I’m guessing that they were made for getting down a trail and catching a fire early more so than putting out a raging warehouse fire.
The interior also looks like it’s in great condition. The seller mentions having “receipts from a complete new brake job in 2014: drums, bearings, shoes, lines, master cylinder.” I love the simplicity of the Scout 80 even though it’s fairly primitive compared to later models.
This is International’s 152 cubic-inch inline-four with around 93 hp. It had to have been rebuilt or at least removed and detailed, it looks too perfect. I could be wrong but even with only 8,000 miles a 53-year old engine wouldn’t be this shiny, would it? It does look great, though, and there’s that Interstate battery! It’s new, as is the ” water pump, new hoses (engine), new radiator, new gas tank.” I don’t know if the fire truck portion of this Scout is holding down the price but it seems like a Scout in this great condition should be close to twice the current bid price by now, shouldn’t it? Hagerty’s good condition Scout is $13,700. This could end up being a bargain depending on the seller’s reserve price. Have you ever seen a factory fire truck Scout?
Nice looking Scout. Thanks for posting, Scotty.
Talk about the perfect parade vehicle! This thing is cute.
I like it. It reminds me of a red Tonka fire fighting jeep that was outfitted with similar equipment right down to the ladder that I had as a young kid. I yearn for those days.
What a nice looking rig! You sometimes see small fire departments still using 50 year plus old equipment like this lovingly maintained serving their communities. Great submission.
I like the International Scout 2 Rally Not Fire trucks but late 70s with 4×4 floor shifter with Big V8 engine Auto and low mile all original If ever find one!
I owned this Scout until a few months ago. It’s a great solid little scout. It spent the majority of is life as a fire truck at the International Harvester factory in Springfield Ohio. The registration sticker with International as the owner is still on the glovebox door!! It was mentioned in the article that Scouts should bring more, I agree, but the firetruck part might be holding it back. It would be easy to convert back to a plain Scout, all the parts are available.
So how much more until the flipper hits the break even point?
Fantastic! Thanks so much for the insider info on this beautiful Scout, jmolsn!
I think you’re right in regards to the firetruck parts holding back the price. However that is what makes this Scout more unique and collectible.
This one should be kept as is and run in parades and put in car shows as history.
Jumpin’ Jehosiphats, that the nicest vintage Scout in existence. A fire dept. is about the only place you’ll find a vintage Scout that looks like this. 99% were plow trucks, and withered away. IDK about the fire equipment, unless you plan on fighting brush fires, I’d remove it, as I’m sure it weighs a ton. (with an already anemic motor) Pretty rare find here. Apparently, this is what they looked like when new.
Nice scout. Price is right.Fire truck collector needs this!
The Rusty Jones rustproofing is not a selling point IMO. Bought a new truck and it had that brand of rust proofing done to it before I saw it. 2 years and it was rusting out and eventually the body just started dropping off the frame.
If you check it out, watch for rust like on any other vehicle without rust proofing.
I was going to say something about too. I worked in a body shop supply co. during the “rustproofing heyday”. I saw damaged panels removed from cars with that sticker, and Rusty Jones was, by far, the worst. I believe lawsuits put them out of business.
From the IH factory at that!
The Scouts of this era sported two gas tanks, one on each side. You switched tanks with a lever located on the floor to the left of the driver’s seat. Had just one gas gauge, however. It was controlled by a toggle on the dash. When you flipped the tanks, you also had to remember to flip the toggle. “Ran out of gas” a number of times, sometimes intentionally, with a full tank showing on the dial. The lightweight Scout floated over the deep stuff, taking my photographer and I through every blizzard nature tossed our way. It was unstoppable.
I would love to own this Scout. I just don’t have any reasonable way to get it home! I used to have a car hauler and truck, but not anymore.
I had a 1966 Scout 80 when I was a kid.
I live in Winnipeg Canada. My girl and I drove it all the way to Key West Florida. 45mph. It was geared so low. It had a snowplow on it when I got it. 2 new tires in Louisville Ky on the way down and a bendix starter drive in Jacksonville Fla. on the way back. Drove on the beach for miles. A Park Ranger came after me and he got stuck. I pulled him out with my Scout. I always carried a 20ft chain. I gave him a beer and he waived the ticket. That Scout was like a little tractor. You could start off in 4wd in 4th gear in low range.It topped at 16 mph. Torque like crazy. Best truck I ever owned. Wish I still had it.
Manual warn hubs. I also forgot to switch the gas toggle cock valve under the seat.
Guage read full but………..
So much fun. Built like a tank.
A really pretty girl. To nice for me, she would have some Wisconsin beauty marks on her from day one with me. I would like to see it saved as is. Like I get a vote.
That thing is as close to new as your going to get. Wow.
No, I am not a bot, whatever that is.Pretty good deal in my book considering what some sell for. Ended: Feb 13, 2018 , 3:52PM
Winning bid:US $10,900.00
[ 34 bids ]
Isuzusu or nissan diesel it…
(how come da attachments don’t come out small any more?)